Email service providers (ESPs) are excellent sources of segmented user traffic. They wrap deep linking URLs with their own click recording domain. In some cases doing so breaks iOS Universal Links. To overcome this, Blueshift uses Universal Links on top of their click recording domain. They integrate with AppsFlyer and by using OneLink branded link capabilities enable deep linking and click recording.

Set up Blueshift

Configure Blueshift and the AppsFlyer SDK, to send emails containing OneLink branded links. 

For additional information on setting up Blueshift, reach out to Blueshift support or refer to their documentation. 

Prerequisite

• OneLink branded link
• Mobile SDK versions:
  • iOS V4.9.0 or later 
  • Android V4.9.0 or later 

Step 1: Set up a Blueshift account

To set up your account at Blueshift, contact Blueshift at support@blueshift.com.

Step 2: Disable click tracking

Disable click tracking at Blueshift. Clicks recorded by AppsFlyer and will be sent back to Blueshift.

Set up AppsFlyer

Step 3: Configure links for your email campaigns

1. Create a OneLink template for your email campaigns.
2. Create a Branded link.
   When requested to add a CNAME to your domain, use yourdomain.esplinks.appsflyer.com, instead of the URL offered in the Branded Link creation page.
   Example:

   Subdomain	CNAME
   click.example.com	example.appsflyer.com

   

   
   Note that when clicking Verify to verify the brand domain, a failure message regarding the AppsFlyer CNAME displays.
   

   

   Ignore this message and change the CNAME as instructed above.

Create emails and testing links

Step 4: Send emails

1. Create a OneLink URL in the Link Management page (or manually). You must URL-encode parameter values.
2. [Best practice] Use the following parameters:
   • pid (media source): Use a media source that signifies this usage such as Email.
   • c (campaign): Campaign name
   • af_dp : The deep link URI scheme you want to deep-link your users into.
   • af_web_dp: Where to redirect users clicking the link on desktop.
   • af_ios_url : Where to redirect users that don’t have the app clicking the link in an iOS device.
   • af_android_url: Where to redirect users that don’t have the app click the link in an Android device.
3. Insert the OneLink URL in the email created using the Blueshift Code Editor or Design Editor.
4. [Mandatory] add deeplink="true" in your email template (see step #3 in Blueshift documentation).

https://yoursubdomain.com/abcd?pid=Email&c=Spring_Newsletter&is_retargeting=true&
  af_dp=testapp://path/to/content&af_web_dp=https://www.example.com/path/to/content&
  af_ios_url=https://www.example.com/path/to/content&af_android_url=https://www.example.com/path/to/content

Test your links

To test the integration:

1. Set-up Blueshift.
2. Create a OneLink URL.
3. Insert the URL in an email.
4. Send a test email to yourself. 

Expected result:

• If you have the app installed, it should launch and you will be deep-linked into the defined app page.
• A click reflects in:
  • The AppsFlyer dashboard, attributed to the media source and campaign.
  • Blueshift data.